U.S. Missile Defense

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An expensive false promise

The United States currently operates two missile defense sites—one in Alaska, one in California—and is considering an additional site on the East Coast. The system is intended to defend against long-range ballistic missiles—but it doesn’t work.

In fact, U.S. missile defense may actually undermine national security by impeding deep cuts in nuclear weapons, complicating important international relationships, and engendering a false sense of security among policy makers.

U.S. missile defense doesn't work

Photo: osnetdaily.com

The U.S. missile defense system has routinely failed test interceptions of missiles since testing began in 1999. These tests are highly scripted and don’t represent potential real-world situations—yet our system regularly fails them.

Even if the United States fixed the basic technology and upgraded its sensor technologies, straightforward countermeasures like decoys could render the system totally ineffective under real world conditions.

Despite these technical realities, proponents still make unsubstantiated claims about missile defense effectiveness. This may create a false sense of security in policy makers, who may act in ways that increase the likelihood of conflict.

Missile defense may undermine U.S. security

Photo: Wikimedia

Ironically, U.S. missile defense—built to defend the United States—may ultimately harm U.S. and global security.

By pursuing missile defense, the United States may block deep cuts in nuclear arsenals, and provide political justifications to Russia and China for modernizing their own nuclear arsenals. By complicating these relationships, the system may also impede cooperation on important issues relating to nonproliferation, nuclear terrorism, and other security issues.

Limiting the extent of missile defense programs, requiring rigorous, realistic testing before deployment, and insisting on accountability and congressional oversight will improve national security.

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